WA Lege: An official 'Yay' for Seahawks

OLYMPIA -- Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll signs an autograph for Rep. Reuven Carlyle after the House presented him with a resolution supporting the team. (Jim Camden)

Pete Carroll signs an autograph for Rep. Reuven Carlyle at the House rostrum.

OLYMPIA -- In a bold move, the Legislature came out officially in favor of the Seattle Seahawks today, with resolutions in both chambers congratulating the team for making the playoffs, and lauding Head Coach Pete Carroll for the team's showing and for work in the community.

Carroll was there to accept the resolutions and sign autographs for legislators -- some of whom seemed fairly thrilled by having a real NFL head coach in their midst. State Rep. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley, snagged a Carroll autograph on a pristine football. He said he keeps a supply of footballs and baseballs in his office for autograph opportunities that pop up from time to time.

Carroll made a pitch for support for a program that brings the NFL, YMCA, law enforcement, church groups and local businesses together to help curb youth violence, one person at a time.

The effort started in Los Angeles when he was at USC, Carrol said, and the model is spreading to Seattle and other Washington cities. Private enterprise is providing the funding right now, but it can't cover everything, he said.